South Pakaraimas residents call for roads to be rehabilitated

Residents of Karasabai, Paipang, Tiger Pond, Kakshebai and Taushida turned out at the Community Benab at Karasabai on Wednesday to raise concerns and interact with Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock.
Among the issues highlighted was the need for rehabilitation of the roads linking Karasabai to Taushida and Karasabai to Lethem, more access to skills training

programmes for the youths; and they raised issues regarding land.
Minister Allicock disclosed that, prior to his visit to the community, he had neither seen a report on the state of the roads nor a request for them to be repaired. He urged the Village Council to report the issues to the regional administration and the Community Development Officer (CDO), in order for representation to be made on their behalf.
Minister Allicock also outlined some of the skills training programmes that the youths in the district can access through the MoIPA and Government. He highlighted that training is offered through the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme and the Bina Hill Institute.Youths in the hinterland can also access Government scholarships to attend higher institutions of learning, which include the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), the University of Guyana (UG), the Government Technical Institute (GTI), and the Carnegie School of Home Economics (CSHE).
On the issue of land, Minister Allicock said Government is firm on ensuring all Indigenous land issues are resolved.
Minister Allicock also commended the South Pakaraimas sub-district for leading in management and maintenance of community resources.  The minister was impressed with the quality of public infrastructure (schools, health centre, village office and other public buildings) being made available to residents.
He noted that Karasabai and its surrounding communities have great potential for economic development. There is, he pointed out, potential for tourism and vast and fertile land for agriculture.
The minister has urged the residents to collaborate and create projects that would aid in sustainable community development, and he has promised that funds would be made available for rehabilitation of internal roads, and for the communities’ tourism drive.
“You have a very great place here to engage in any activities. Come together and engage in farming; you shouldn’t go hungry in this area. You have good quality wood here, get the young people trained. Come up with projects and we will support you”, Minister Allicock told the South Pakaraimas’ residents.
In keeping with the spirit of Christmas, Minister Allicock distributed toys and gifts to children from the villages. The toys and other gifts were donated by JR Ranch and Atlantic Marine. (DPI)